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WASHINGTON – “You did your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is never to try.
– Homer Simpson
The Mets have tried to sign Francisco Lindor, their newly acquired All-Star shortstop, in a huge extension. However, as Lindor’s self-imposed opening day deadline approached, the two sides were failing miserably to find common ground.
If the player and the team had resolved on January 7, when Lindor became a Met via a trade with the Indians, to file all long-term financial decisions until the conclusion of the 2021 Championship season – take year to get to know each other – then they could kick off their title quest in relative peace Thursday night at Nationals Park. Instead, the attempt to do something publicly revealed a large gap in valuations (Lindor wants $ 385 million over 12 years and the Mets want to pay him $ 325 million over 10 years), has increased the pressure. on both sides and set up several parties. with something to lose. As longtime SNY broadcaster Ron Darling told Sirius XM’s Chris Russo on Wednesday, “… it will be a mess.”
Who has the most to lose if the season begins with Lindor still an impending free agent? Let’s classify them:
1. Francisco East
The credit must go to the man for betting on himself. Because by refusing the Mets offer, and by its counter-offer, Lindor is sacrificing a percentage of its new car smell.
Will it still receive a roaring reception from the pandemic-regulated crowd at Citi Field at the home opening on April 8? Will a slump produce the kind of boos Mike Piazza experienced when he became a Met? How is he going to handle such attention while moving from the Central American League to the Eastern National League?
It should be noted that Lindor also has the most to gain here. Because if he thrives under such pressure, then it will be entirely within his rights to turn to Steve Cohen in November, call Kevin Costner from “Draft Day” and proclaim, “We live in a different world from. what we were doing seven months ago. $ 385 million will not be enough. “
2. Steve Cohen
If the Mets had signed either JT Realmuto or George Springer – or Trevor Bauer, although we all know it would have been a disaster – then the rookie owner of the team could be leading these Lindor talks through a different lens. Instead, the richest man in the game is still looking for his first nine-figure investment after spending 10 figures to buy the team.
Let’s face it: Cohen’s maiden voyage featured more bumps than expected, from Jared Porter’s mess to Cohen temporarily withdrawing from Twitter due to alleged online threats to the hiring of Mickey Callaway by Sandy Alderson, questioned in pursuit and scent of Bauer. Not signing Lindor would be another bump before Cohen’s first season begins.
3. Put fans
So emotionally battered by the 2008 arrest of Bernie Madoff and the addiction that followed, these poor people just want a team that can play up to the size of their market and defend themselves against other jewelry franchises. Of the industry.
The Mets significantly improved their roster under Cohen and Alderson. Still, everyone understands the value – not only on the baseball side, but also on the morale side – that comes with signing a superstar for a super contract. In the short term, at least, he’s sending a boost of energy through the organization and its fan base. Failure to do so in Lindor’s case would have the opposite effect.
4. Major League Baseball
The league announced on Wednesday that Lindor is ranked eighth among best-selling jerseys. And keep in mind that the follow-up started last November, but Lindor has only been a Met since January. It is a real success.
All sport benefits when an accomplished and energetic player lands at a top club. There would surely be some disappointment in the offices of Rob Manfred and Tony Clark, although that cannot be expressed, if the Lindor Mets would remain as a mere adventure.
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